Procuring supplies for children
“Innovate for Children”: UNICEF’s message at biggest international design forum
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| © Martin Bubandt. |
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, 1 September 2009 -- At the largest international design gathering in focused on “Design to Improve Life”, UNICEF brought to centre stage the message that innovation and great design can, and should, make an impact on the lives of children and mothers. Read more…
The Index: Award is a Danish-led initiative that envisions design thinking and design processes to create a better future for the world, and broaden the perception of potential solutions. UNICEF has partnered with Index since 2008, and this year had the honour of presenting one of five EUR 100,000 cash prizes to winners who purposefully shaped usefulness and functionality into designs that improve lives.
Hanne Bak Pederson, Deputy Director Programme at UNICEF Supply Division, congratulated John Hutchinson on the development of a manually-driven fetal heart monitor which does not require batteries or electricity. Mr. Hutchinson was among the many nominees who are helping to bridge the gaps caused by geography, poverty and social circumstances. These disparities cost the lives of over nine million children under five years old annually.
The collaboration with Index is just one part of UNICEF’s strategy focused on finding innovative, end-user driven solutions that will accelerate progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals for children. It emphasises creativity through collaboration with innovation specialists and design schools, design experts and business. Helping facilitate this process is a newly launched interactive “Innovate for Children” site which is helping to identify, capture and share problems and ideas which will lead to solutions for children. Several projects are already under way.
